A 32-nation naval partnership

CMF farewells HMCS Toronto while celebrating her successes

After twelve months operating with Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Toronto has begun her journey home, having been the backbone of Combined Task Force (CTF) 150 operations throughout her tour.

Commander Matthew Bowen, Commanding Officer of HMCS Toronto, said: “Toronto’s time with CMF and CTF 150 was tremendously rewarding. Their strong leadership in promoting safe use of the maritime commons continues to contribute enormously to stability in the Arabian Sea, and it was a pleasure to work alongside such professionals. Their support and expertise enabled many of Toronto’s successes over the course of the past year, and ensured that the hard work and dedication of Toronto’s crew produced very positive results in destroying illicit narcotics and denying the associated funds to terrorist organizations.”

Commodore Daryl Bates, CTF 150 Commander took the opportunity during HMCS Toronto’s recent visit to the Seychelles, her last port while with CMF, to say farewell to the crew. After thanking them for their dedicated service, Commodore Bates told the assembled crew: “We know for a fact that your efforts have had a direct impact on those who seek to use the maritime environment for illicit purposes. I am confident that your replacement, HMCS Regina can live up to the enviable reputation you have forged.”

A Naval Boarding Team from HMCS Toronto boards a suspect vessel in January 2014 off the coast of Tanzania. A subsequent search of this vessel revealed 281 kilograms of heroin hidden onboard.

HMCS Regina is en route to the region to relieve HMCS Toronto and resume Canada’s commitment to CTF 150 in mid-February.

Vice-Admiral Mark Norman, Commander, Royal Canadian Navy said: “The men and women of HMCS Regina are highly-trained professionals who will carry on the fine tradition of Canadian Armed Forces personnel serving with Combined Task Force 150. I wish them fair winds and following seas, as they take over the watch from HMCS Toronto who has patrolled the Arabian Sea region for nearly a year.”

HMCS Toronto

CTF 150 is one of three task forces within CMF, a multinational naval partnership of 30 nations, based in Bahrain. Its role is to promote security, stability and prosperity across approximately 2.5 million square miles, including the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman.

The principle mission of CTF 150 is to deter, disrupt and defeat attempts by international terrorist organisations that use the maritime environment as a venue for attack or as a means to transport personnel, weapons or other materials.

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Published by Combined Maritime Forces

CMF is a unique multi-national collective of 32 like-minded nations, dedicated to promoting security and free flow of commerce across 3.2 million square miles of international waters in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Somali Basin, the Indian Ocean and the Gulf. CMF’s main focus areas are disrupting terrorism, preventing piracy, reducing illegal activities, and promoting a safe maritime environment for all.
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